Bible Story

Memory Verse

KID CONNECT #1

WHAT IS KID CONNECT?KID CONNECT is all about eGROUP CONNECTIONS: for you to make connections with your eGroup and for the kids to make connections with each other. Activities are listed in the order they are to be completed. It’s okay if you don’t complete all the activities – some activities will work better for your group than others. Begin Kid Connect when doors open. KID CONNECT ENDS WHEN THE WORSHIP EXPERIENCE BEGINS.

PICTURE JUMBLE COLORING PAGES

BEFORE THE ACTIVITY
What you need: crayons, Picture Jumble pages

What you do: Place the crayons in the center of the circle and give each child a Picture Jumble page.

DURING THE ACTIVITY

What you say: “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the Clubhouse, but it’s also kind of a mess! Since penguins love the water and swimming, our friend Peach Penguin really wants some new water toys for Christmas! Can you find all of the water toys scattered around the Clubhouse and color them with your favorite color crayon?”

What you do: Encourage children to find the water toys in the picture and color them all the same color. Offer help finding the water toys as needed. Once children have colored in the water toys, they can color in the rest of the picture.

AFTER THE ACTIVITYWhat you do: Make sure children’s names are on their page and set the pages aside until children are picked up at the end of the worship experience.

KID CONNECT #2

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: TIC-TAC-TOE

BEFORE THE ACTIVITY
What you need: Countdown to Christmas game board, ornament pieces (4 different ornaments, 12 of each)

What you do: Divide children into two to four teams. Place the game board in the center of the eGroup and give each team a set of ornament pieces. Explain children will work together as teams to get three of their ornaments in a row on the board to win!

DURING THE ACTIVITY

What you do: One at a time, instruct each team to place one of their ornament pieces anywhere on the board. Encourage children to work together as a team to decide where to place their piece. The goal is for a team to get three of their pieces in a row on the board without letting another team get three in a row first. (eGL Tip: Especially with younger groups, it might help early in the game to point out opportunities to block the other team from getting three in a row.)

KID CONNECT #3

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: SEQUENCE

BEFORE THE ACTIVITYWhat you need: Countdown to Christmas game board, ornament pieces (4 different ornaments, 12 of each), game cards

What you do: Divide children into two to four teams. Place the game board in the center of the eGroup area and give each team a set of ornament pieces. Explain children will work together as teams to get three of their ornaments in a row on the board to win!

DURING THE ACTIVITY

What you do: Shuffle the game cards and give each team three cards. Teams may look at their cards, but encourage them not to let the other teams see them. Place the remaining cards near the board as a draw pile.

Choose a team to go first. Encourage this team to place one of their ornaments on the game board on a space that matches one of the cards in their hand. After doing that, they can discard that card and choose a new one from the draw pile.

If a team has a card that says, “Remove an ornament from any space,” the team may remove another team’s ornament from any space on the board. “Place your ornament on any space” means the team can put their ornament on any space that does not already contain an ornament.

Continue by repeating with each team until a team wins by getting three in a row on the game board.

GET TO KNOW YOU

SETTING THE SCENE

What you do: Place the stable mat in the center of the floor. Spread out the nativity pieces around the eGroup area, away from the stable mat.

What you say: “This month we’re learning about the good news that God sent His Son Jesus to Earth to be our Savior! Christmas is when we celebrate the day Jesus was born. We will learn all about the story of Jesus’ birth and how we can celebrate and share the good news with others! As we count down to Christmas, let’s put together a picture of what it looked like when Jesus was born!”

DURING THE ACTIVITY

What you do: Explain that after each child introduces themselves, they will get to choose a piece from the nativity set and answer the question on the back before placing it on the stable mat. Introduce yourself to the group, then choose a piece from the nativity set, answer the question, and place the piece on the stable mat. Encourage each child to do the same.

After all children are introduced, pass out a Quest animal sticker to each child. Have each child place it next to their name tag.

What you say: “We are the (insert animal name) today! There are two very special rules to remember so we can have the most fun. The rules to follow are:

1. Be Safe – How can we be safe? (keeping our hands to ourselves, sitting when others are sitting, walking instead of running, following the rules)

2. Be Kind – How can we be kind? (listening when others are talking, sharing, obeying leaders, sitting on our bottoms so others can see)

If you can obey our special rules and are ready to have fun then put one hand in the center and repeat after me:

I am (allow response)
a (insert group name)(allow response) I will (allow response)
be kind and safe! (allow response)

What you say: “Now that we all know each other and we know the rules, we’re ready to help each other hear a great Bible story and learn something exciting about the most special Person who ever lived!”

BIBLE CONNECT: BIBLE STORY

WHAT IS BIBLE CONNECT?

BIBLE CONNECT is all about BIBLE CONNECTIONS: for kids to make connections with the Bible and learn to love the Bible! Children will make connections to the Bible in two ways: by hearing and talking about the Bible story and practicing the memory verse. Begin Bible Connect after the Get To Know You activity. AFTER BIBLE CONNECT CHILDREN HEAD TO FREE PLAY AND LARGE GROUP.

THE ANGEL AND MARY

LUKE 1:26-33, 38, 46

BEFORE THE ACTIVITYWhat you need: God’s Story for Me, Ollie stickersWhat you say: “We can find true stories in God’s book, the Bible!”

DURING THE ACTIVITY

What you do: Show and read the Bible story from pages 272-275 of the God’s Story for Me Bible. Ask the Bible story review questions. Each time a child answers a question correctly, give the child a sticker.

What you say: “Let’s see how much you remember from our Bible story!”

“Who did God send to tell Mary the good news?” (an angel)

“What did the angel tell Mary she would have?” (a baby)

“What did the angel say Mary would name the baby?” (Jesus)

“What was so special about the baby Mary would have?” (He is the Savior and He is God’s own Son.)

“Who got to hear the good news from her cousin Mary?” (Elizabeth)

“Who else heard the good news from an angel?” (Joseph)

AFTER THE ACTIVITY

What you say: “Mary heard the good news from an angel that God’s Son would be born. And even more awesome than that – the angel also told her she would be Jesus’ mother! She must have been so excited to hear that good news! We can be excited, too, because we get to hear the good news about Jesus’ birth in lots of different ways as we count down to Christmas!”

BIBLE CONNECT: MEMORY VERSE

Choose one of the memory verse activity options to help children learn and practice the Bible verse together.

NOTE: Children cannot receive a memory verse card week one of the series.

VERSE VOICE COUNTDOWN

BEFORE THE ACTIVITY

What you need: memory verse card (1)

What you say: “This month we’re learning about the good news that God sent His Son Jesus to be our Savior. This is the best news we could ever get! Our verse this month tells us this good news brings us great joy!”

DURING THE ACTIVITY

What you say: “I am going to say our new memory verse. Everyone watch me! (Demonstrate the memory verse as shown in the sidebar.) Now let’s do it all together! Are you ready? (Say the memory verse with the motions several times.) Great job! Now we’re going to practice the voice together at different volumes! I’ll count down, then if I call out ‘Voice level 4,’ say the verse as loud as you can. If I call out ‘Voice level 3,’ say the verse in a normal voice. If I call out ‘Voice level 2,’ say the verse in a whisper. If I call out ‘Voice level 1,’ just mouth the verse without saying the words.”

What you do: Count down from 4 (“4, 3, 2, 1!”) and then call out “Voice Level [choose number 1 through 4].” Encourage kids to say the verse with the motions at the appropriate volume level.

AFTER THE ACTIVITY

What you say: “Awesome job, everyone! This verse reminds us that the good news of Jesus’ birth brings us great joy!”

What you do: Show the memory verse card. Explain to the group children can recite the verse each week to earn a memory verse card for their collectible poster!

SHARE THE GOOD NEWS

BEFORE THE ACTIVITY

What you need: Jesus piece (from the Get to Know You nativity set), memory verse card (1)

What you say: “This month we’re learning about the good news that God sent His Son Jesus to be our Savior. This is the best news we could ever get! Our verse this month tells us this good news brings us great joy!”

DURING THE ACTIVITY

What you do: Cover your eyes and encourage children to pass the Jesus piece around the circle until you call out, “Stop.” When you say, “Stop,” encourage the child holding the Jesus piece to choose a friend to help them as they stand up and say the verse together. Repeat until each child has had a turn to practice the verse.

AFTER THE ACTIVITY

What you say: “Great job! Thank you for helping each other share the good news!”

What you do: Show the memory verse card. Explain to the group children can recite the verse each week to earn a memory verse card for their collectible poster!

YOU CONNECT #1

YOU CONNECT is about the eGroup leader (YOU!) helping children make connections with the main point and their lives. You Connect activities reinforce the main point with fun and engaging activities. BEGIN YOU CONNECT AFTER LARGE GROUP.

WHERE CAN I HEAR?

BEFORE THE ACTIVITYWhat you need: presents (4), mini gift bowsWhat you do: Place one of the presents in the center of the eGroup.

What you say: “Mary heard the good news that Jesus would be born from an angel. We may not hear the good news from an angel, but there are still lots of awesome different ways we can hear the good news throughout the Christmas season! Let’s think about some of the different ways we might hear the good news.”

DURING THE ACTIVITY

What you do: Give each child a mini gift bow and encourage children to toss their gift bows at the present. Count the number of bows that landed on the present, then remove the bows from the present and turn it over. Read the back of the present and insert the number of bows that landed on the present where the instructions say, “(#).” Repeat for each of the remaining presents.

AFTER THE ACTIVITY

What you say: “Isn’t that neat? We don’t need to hear the good news from an angel because the good news is all around us, especially during the Christmas season! We just need to listen for it. And it’s important for us to listen for the good news, because it tells us about the most special person who was ever born! Why is Jesus special?” (Jesus is God’s Son)

YOU CONNECT #2

eKIDZ JOURNAL AND COLLECTIBLE

What you say: “God can do great things through us when we learn and live out what the Bible says! Today we learned we can hear the good news. Now we’re going to talk about how we will listen for the good news this week.”

DURING THE ACTIVITY

What you do: Take out your eGroup prayer journal and pen. Write down each child’s name and what they say in the journal. Pray with the group.

What you say: “Today we’re going to write down different places we’ll listen for the good news this week. It could be a place you go or in a song or story. Where will you listen for the good news this week?” (Write down children’s names and what they say.)

“Let’s pray together now! Dear God, thank You for sending your Son Jesus to be our Savior! And thank you that we have so many different ways to hear the good news! Help us remember to listen this week so we can hear the good news through (list what children shared from journal). We love to hear the good news that Jesus is born and are excited to celebrate Jesus’ birth together! We love You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen.”

What you do: Give each child a main point card. Encourage children to color their main point cards as you talk.

What you say: “Each weekend you visit Wonder! Clubhouse you’ll get main point cards to add to your collectible poster. Collect six cards and bring your poster back to Quest to receive a special prize!

Today’s main point card says, ‘I can hear the good news.’ I want you to color your main point card now. Add this card to your collectible poster at home.”

VIPs AND CHILDREN WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED A COLLECTIBLE POSTER: Give the child a collectible poster and glue the main point card on their poster. Write the child’s name on the front of the poster with the Sharpie marker.

AFTER THE ACTIVITY

What you say: “Make sure to keep your poster in a place you can see it every day to help you remember what we learn in Quest and to spend time with Jesus. Today we learned we can hear the good news about Jesus’ birth!”

What you do: Take your journal home with you so you can pray for your eGroup children by name throughout the week.

YOU CONNECT #3

DO YOU HEAR?

BEFORE THE ACTIVITYWhat you need: mini gift bows (from first You Connect activity on page 6)

What you say: “An important part of hearing the good news is just knowing how to listen! We’re going to practice our listening skills together in this game.”

DURING THE ACTIVITY

What you do: Put the mini gift bows in the center of the eGroup. Choose two children to follow your instructions. While those two are listening and following the instructions, make sure the rest of the eGroup is listening carefully so they can help make sure the children hear the instructions and follow them correctly! If the children do not follow the instructions, encourage the rest of the eGroup to remind them what the instructions were and let them try again. Repeat with two different children for each instruction.

What you say: “Each of you will have a chance to listen to my directions and do something special with these gift bows. If you’re going to follow my instructions, you have to hear them first, so everyone needs to stay extra quiet and listen closely! If you aren’t one of the ones following my directions, you still need to listen because it’s your job to help me make sure they do exactly what I say! Here we go!” (Choose two children to complete each instruction.)

“Find a green bow and balance it on one finger.”

“Choose two bows throw them in the air while saying, “Merry

Christmas!’”

“Put a red bow on top of your head and tell us one thing you want for Christmas.”

“Find a gold bow and try to balance it on the tip of your nose.”

“Choose two bows and stack them on top of each other on your hand.”

“Find a bow the color of a Christmas tree and hold it high over your head.”

“Choose the bow you like the best and set it on a friend’s head.”

“Throw a red bow high in the air and try to catch it.”

AFTER THE ACTIVITY

What you say: “You are all such great listeners! I’m sure you will hear the good news in so many ways as we count down to Christmas!”

DISMISSAL ACTIVITY

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: TIC-TAC-TOE

BEFORE THE ACTIVITYWhat you need: Countdown to Christmas game board, ornament pieces (4 different ornaments, 12 of each)

What you do: Divide children into two to four teams. Place the game board in the center of the eGroup and give each team a set of ornament pieces. Explain children will work together as teams to get three of their ornaments in a row on the board to win!

DURING THE ACTIVITY

What you do: One at a time, instruct each team to place one of their ornament pieces anywhere on the board. Encourage children to work together as a team to decide where to place their piece. The goal is for a team to get three of their pieces in a row on the board without letting another team get three in a row first. (eGL Tip: Especially with younger groups, it might help early in the game to point out opportunities to block the other team from getting three in a row.)

COUNTDOWN TO CHRISTMAS: SEQUENCE

BEFORE THE ACTIVITYWhat you need: Countdown to Christmas game board, ornament pieces (4 different ornaments, 12 of each), game cards

What you do: Divide children into two to four teams. Place the game board in the center of the eGroup area and give each team a set of ornament pieces. Explain children will work together as teams to get three of their ornaments in a row on the board to win!

DURING THE ACTIVITY

What you do: Shuffle the game cards and give each team three cards. Teams may look at their cards, but encourage them not to let the other teams see them. Place the remaining cards near the board as a draw pile.

Choose a team to go first. Encourage this team to place one of their ornaments on the game board on a space that matches one of the cards in their hand. After doing that, they can discard that card and choose a new one from the draw pile.

If a team has a card that says, “Remove an ornament from any space,” the team may remove another team’s ornament from any space on the board. “Place your ornament on any space” means the team can put their ornament on any space that does not already contain an ornament.

Continue by repeating with each team until a team wins by getting three in a row on the game board.